How can I help my 10-year-old son from being so awkward and picked on.

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Laleebeen asks:

My son has very few friends and is picked on often. He is tall fo his age, he wears glasses and receives special education services at school for specific learning disabilities. He's not very athletic and I'm trying to find something (anything) that interests him. He told me today how unhappy he is. It's breaking my heart because I was picked on in school. I don't know what tdo to help him.

In Topics: Helping my child with reading, Helping my child with writing

> 60 days ago

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Expert

BarbK

Jun 18, 2010

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What the Expert Says:

I hear the pain in your question. The good news is that your son feels safe and is able to tell you how he really feels. That's important.

Education.com has great resources and information on friendships and bullying.
http://www.education.com/topic/social-development-friendship/
http://www.education.com/topic/school-bullying-teasing/

Since your son has learning disabilities he might enjoy the Hank Zipzer series. These books are written by Henry Winkler (Fonzie from Happy Days), who has dyslexia himself. The stories are funny, yet still drive home the point that having a learning disability is not the end of the world. I suggest reading them together, that way you can talk about the characters, events, and lessons learned.

Keep talking to your son and don't be afraid to share some of your own experiences of being picked on growing up. Point out that you turned out ok.

Since he does have a few friends, have him foster those relationships even more.

Hope this helps.

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Additional Answers (2)

bukuru writes:

tell him to be himself and not to be scared of anything. also to share his feelings. let him pick any activities that he enjoys and is good at then when people make fun of him he wont worry about it,.

> 60 days ago

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Dr.Monika , Child Professional writes:

Children can be cruel and pick on peers that differ form them in any way. I am sorry to hear about your son's sadness about how he is treated by his "friends". If they tease him to cause him emotional pain, they are not his friends. They are bullies.

Talk to your son about his emotions. Is he sad most of the time? Is he emotional? Does he still enjoy doing things that he loves? If you think that he is depressed, schedule an appointment with his health care provider. In the mean time, help him learn to be emotionally resilient. That will boost his self-esteem and help him deal with stressful situations.

Suggested reading:

Your child's emotional resilience

http://www.pluggedinparents.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=512&Itemid=0

Best regards.

Resources:

http://www.pluggedinparents.com

> 60 days ago

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